Westchester Lenoir Preserve

Lenoir Preserve is a 40-acre nature preserve located in Yonkers, New York. The preserve comprises woodlands and field habitats, situated adjacent to the Old Croton Aqueduct on slopes overlooking the Hudson River. This location provides visitors with spectacular views of the river and the Palisades.

The property was formerly home to two Hudson River estates, with only one mansion still standing today. The Lenoir Mansion, built between 1850 and 1870 for future presidential candidate Samuel J. Tilden, remains atop a hill overlooking the meadow.

Lenoir Preserve boasts a diverse collection of trees and shrubs, including both native species and imports from around the world. Visitors can observe magnificent copper beeches from Europe, gingko trees from Asia, and Douglas firs from the Pacific Northwest. These exotic specimens grow alongside native sugar maples, red oaks, hemlocks, pines, and tulip trees, providing shelter for various wildlife such as woodpeckers, owls, and bats.

The preserve is a popular destination for bird watchers, especially during spring and autumn when major hawk migrations can be observed. Nature enthusiasts can learn about raptor identification markings, such as flight patterns and silhouettes, and participate in official tracking counts of raptors.

In addition to its natural features, Lenoir Preserve includes a Nature Center housed in a historic carriage house. The center offers various nature exhibits and educational programs for visitors.

The preserve features a combination of traditional trails and paved footpaths totaling about 2 miles. These trails allow visitors to explore the diverse ecosystems within the preserve, including a connection to the Old Croton Aqueduct trail.